We have compiled test results of several different brands of voice modems and telephony cards that were tested with our Active Call Center software.  Many of these devices cost less than $100 and can be bought at a local electronics store.  Users that need more than 2 lines should consider using a Brooktrout telephony card.

Active Call Center is a TAPI application, which means that telephony functions are provided through Windows built-in telephony features.  As a result, any telephony device that works with Active Call Center must be TAPI compliant with TAPI audio drivers.  Some TAPI compliant devices with audio drivers include: most windows voice modems, Brooktrout telephony cards, and Mediaphonics telephony cards.

A voice modem is a modem that is capable of playing and recording audio over a telephone line.  While almost all modems are capable of doing data and fax, a growing number have voice capabilities.  Modern voice modems are powerful telephony devices capable of advanced features like voice interaction, call transfers, and outbound dialing.  For most users, a high quality voice modem and advanced telephony software like Active Call Center will allow them to create a professional communications solution.  Common brands include US Robotics, 3Com, ZOOM, ModemBlaster, EigerMedia, and others.

In order for a voice modem to work with Windows TAPI, the modem must have voice drivers and sound devices.  The voice drivers are interfaced with Windows 95/98/2000 through UniModem/V (95/98) or UniModem/5 (2000), Windows' universal modem voice drivers.  Sound devices (or Wave Devices) for the voice modem are usually provided by the manufacturer.  Unfortunately, Windows NT4 does not support UniModem/V or UniModem/5, so voice modems cannot be used with Active Call Center under NT4.

A telephony card is a device designed specifically for doing voice processing over telephone lines.  Telephony cards provide much better quality audio output than voice modems and may support multiple phone lines on a single card.  A TAPI telephony card is one that works with Windows Telephony API.  Common brands include Brooktrout and MediaPhonics PhoneRider.

In order for a telephony card to work with Active Call Center, it must provide support for playback and recording of wave format audio.  Technically, that means the device must provide TAPI "wave/in" and "wave/out" devices.

We suggest that Windows NT 4.0 users use Brooktrout telephony cards.  We have tested both the Vantage and RDSP series and found that they provide support for all of Active Call Center's features.  Click here to buy a Brooktrout card.

Active Call Center is a demanding application that stresses a modem or telephony card by doing text-to-speech output, pre-recorded audio output, speech recognition, touch tone recognition, and audio recording.  During a call, any or all of these features may be started and stopped many times.

When possible, we tested these devices ourselves judging them on audio quality, speech recognition, touch tone recognition, consistency of performance, and ease of installation.  In some cases, we are relying on input from others who have used our software.

Since computer telephony applications are affected by the amount of RAM storage, CPU power available, and hardware configurations, your computer's configuration may cause the performance you experience to be different from the performance we or other users may have experienced.

Did we miss something?  Have you used another modem on this list with Active Call Center and would you like to let others know about its performance?  Please send us e-mail at info@sunny-beach.net and include details of all categories above.